Defense Geospatial Information Agency "Division General Constantin Barozzi"

Ioan Gărdescu was born on January 1, 1862, in the village of Halânga, Mehedinți County. From the few biographical details found, it appears that on July 1, 1880, he became a student at the military school.
After graduation, on July 1, 1882, he was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant and assigned to the 17th Dorobanți Regiment. On April 1, 1883, he was transferred to the 1st Engineer Regiment, and later, he was assigned to the Artillery and Engineering School.
He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant on April 24, 1885. On January 1, 1889, after being promoted to the rank of captain, he was transferred to the 2nd Engineer Regiment.
Starting from October 16, 1890, he attended the Special School of Artillery and Engineering, and after graduating, on October 1, 1892, he was transferred to the Central Administration of the Ministry of War. In 1892, he was awarded the "Coroana României" (Order of the Crown of Romania), Fourth Class.
On January 1, 1894, he was promoted to major and assigned to the 28th Regiment "Radu Negru". After several transfers, on January 16, 1894, he was assigned to the 2nd Vâlcea Regiment, and on May 10, 1894, he was transferred to the 33rd Tulcea Regiment. On April 1, 1896, he was appointed as deputy chief of staff at the 2nd Army Corps.
In 1897, he was awarded the "Steaua României" (Order of the Star of Romania), Fourth Class.
On May 10, 1899, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel and appointed deputy chief of staff at the 3rd Army Corps.
On April 1, 1900, he was appointed commander of the Higher War School and later became permanently assigned to the Ministry of War and attached to the commander of the 21st Ilfov Regiment.
He was awarded (the date is not mentioned) the "Iron Cross of the French Legion of Honour".
Starting from April 1, 1908, he was assigned to the General Staff, and on April 1, 1909, he was appointed commander of the 2nd Infantry Brigade.
He was promoted to the rank of colonel on May 9, 1904.
On April 1, 1910, he was once again assigned to the General Staff, and on May 1, 1910, he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general.
On November 29, 1910, he was awarded the "Virtutea Militară de Aur" (Golden Military Virtue Medal).
He was placed in "retirement status" on April 1, 1916, due to an infirmity "incurred during, but not due to, service."
The date of his death is not known.